Police Didn’t Rescue Me From Kidnappers’ Den, Monarch cry out, Counters Social media reports
The immediate past Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri has countered the social media report crediting his recent freedom from kidnapper’s den to the tactical intervention of the operatives of Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking to Newsmen at his Obi-Orodo palace on Thursday 25th January, 2024, Eze Ohiri noted that he would have choose to keep quiet hence the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command had earlier dismissed their claims but as a matter of fact deemed it necessary to keep the records straight by letting members of the general public know that Police did not play any role for him to regain freedom.
He disclosed that his freedom from his abductors was a superlative divine intervention of the Almighty God, his powerful prayers, monitory involvement, support of his community members, friends and well wishers.
Narrating his ordeal, Eze Ohiri said that he came back to celebrate the 2023 Christmas and new year,2024 with his people of Obi-Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State only for him to wake up at the early hours of January 6, 2024 and entered into hands of the men of “under world” after visiting one of his old Boys and senior student during their days in Secondary School, Emmanuel College Owerri who hails and lives in same community with him.
He disclosed that when he was coming back at about 8:30 am, he met able-bodied men within his Palace who also came in their own vehicle double-crossed his vehicle and whisked him out in their own vehicle after a horrible struggle.
Hear him, “I was forced into their own vehicle amidst that horrible struggling, but I thank God that nobody was shot, because they were with guns. That was how it happened, thanked God, my Cousin brother smartly introduced himself to them as my driver and he was freed, but they blind-folded me and zoomed off to unknown destination. I was first of all kept in an uncompleted building before I was transferred to another place. Within twelve days I spent in their den, I saw hell.
“At first instance, it looked as if they have some special scores to settle with traditional rulers and politicians, but luckily for me their leader came to the camp and ordered them not to torture me that I am a decent man. At that point, negotiation began between my people and the kidnappers. That eventually resulted to me regaining freedom after first and second ransoms were paid.
“They took me and another victim to Eziama-Obiato, a community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area along Owerri-Onitsha Express Way at night after spending twelve days in their den. And from there, I found my way back to Owerri to Control Post where my people came and conveyed me back to my Palace”.
The former Eze Imo said that his abductors were very hostile and wicked, “you can only talk when you are permitted to do so, and they have heavy bitterness for Ndi Eze and the politicians.
“Bad Economy is for everyone on Nigeria.
“We should be prayerful. It is unfortunate that some people always have over expectations from traditional rulers without considering that they are not policy makers that bring up good policies that will move the country forward.
“Ndieze are not part of the government policy makers.
“Yes we all agreed that Ndi Igbo are marginalized, So, as the former Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, I spearheaded the move for equality in the Nation with support from other notable traditional rulers in Igbo land galvanizing interest across the bridges to ensure equity and fairness. Other minority groups are also experiencing same thing.
“Right now I’m a member of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Imo/Abia chapter. It’s on record that some of our members have closed shops due to insecurities. So, it’s still our people that are suffering the job lose.
“We should collectively help to build and safe-guide our place by not bringing fears and threats to our land.
“What I’m saying is that what ever police claimed was not in any case of my own incident, I was released by the grace of God and through the support of my family, community members, friends and well-wishers. Yes, my people paid whooping amount of money and even paid twice before I was freed,” he explained.
Eze Ohiri further said that the gang never identified him until they began to go through his phone and other documents within his purse.
He thanked in a special way those that facilitated his freedom from the kidnappers den noting that such experience is not what one will wish or like his enemies experience.
“My regards to members of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Current Eze Imo, HRM Eze Emmanuel Okereke, members of Obi-Orodo Autonomous Community, the members of the Clergy in Mbaitoli Local Government Area and friends across the nation and international community for their show of love to me”.
